Fishing device.



E. 'HOLMGREBN.

FISHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2p, 1909.

993 ,374, Patented May 30, 1911.

THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, B. Q

' KINHE FISHING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1911.

Application filed. September 20, 1909. Serial No. 518,581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDDIE HoLMoRnnN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rockford, county of Winnebago, and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Fishing Devices, ofwhich the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to bait for fishing and the object of my inventionis the provi sion of a device of such character designed for the holdingof a live minnow in such a position as to adapt the same to serve asbait without in any way mutilating the same, such as is necessary at thepresent time in securing a minnow to a fish hook; it being my object toprovide a device whereby the minnow when used as bait may be kept in alive condition as long as possible.

A further object is the provision of a bait holder whereby the baitalthough exposed to view when arranged therein, will at the same time beprotected against injury and mutilation by fish attempting to grasp thesame.

Another object is the provision of a bait device as mentioned which maybe easily and quickly manipulated, which will be of high efficiency inserving in the capacity above stated, and which will be simple andinexpensive of construction.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view my invention consists in a bait devicecharacterized as above mentioned and in certain details of constructionand arrangement of parts all as will be hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claim.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to thedrawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure l is a side elevation of my device in its preferred form, aminnowin dotted lines being shown arranged therein, Fig. 2 is a top plan viewthereof, and Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the shell or minnowholderproper.

The device is simply a metallic foraminatecl shell split through itsvertical longitudinal center forming two similar half parts 2 and 3.Provided upon the outer surface of each of the parts 2 and 3 aretransversely disposed reinforcing straps 4: and 5 respectively secured,preferably by soldering thereto, those on one sidebeing positioned intransverse alinement with those on the other, the lower extremities ofalining thereof being interlocked and connected by a hinge pin whereby ahinge connection between said shell parts is effected. The upper endport-ion 6 of the straps preferably extend beyond the inner edge of themember 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, hence when the shell parts are inclosed position, said strap end portions overlap the adjacent outersurface of the member 3; slots 7 are provided in the former engagingpins 8 projecting from the outer adjacent surface of the shell part 3 tolock said shell parts in closed position. With such construction, tounlock said shell parts, the outer ends 6 of the straps 4 need only tobe sprung outwardly sufficiently to effect the disengagement thereofwith the pins 8, this being readily effected by means of the fingers.However, although I have shown the hinge connections and fastening meansformed integrally with the reinforcing straps 4t and 5,. this being asimple and economical construction, I do not wish to limit myselfthereto as such parts, if desired, may be formed independent therefrom.

The shell as seen is of an inner contour such as to adapt the same tosnugly accommodate an ordinary bait minnow of a required length, thesame being so designed that the minnow, when arranged therein, Will beplainly visible through the foramina or openings 9 formed in thecomprising Walls thereof. By forming the rearward end of the shell withan opening of dimensions adapting the same to snugly encircle the bodyof the minnow just forward of the tail thereof, as shown, this being thethinnest part of the body of an ordinary minnow, the latter, whenarranged in the shell, will evidently be held fast against rearwardmovement therein. By forming the forward end of the shell with anobliquely downwardly curved wall 10 so positioned as to abut the ends ofthe minnow arranged therein, the latter, when arranged in the shell,will evidently be locked against forward movement therein. Hence, it isclear that a minnow placed in the shell will be positively held therein,escapement thereof being absolutely prevented except by reason of thecomprising shell parts becoming unlocked and separated.

Extending through alining eyes 11 pro vided upon the lateral outersurfaces of the shell 1, said eyes being preferably formed integral withthe straps 4t and 5, are substantially parallelly extending lines 12secured at their forward extremities to a common line 13 extending tothe fishing rod. Enlargements 14 provided upon the lines 12 engaging theforemost eyes 11, as shown, serve as stops whereby the shell is lockedto said lines. A cross bar 15 connects the rearward extremities of saidlines. Having the forward end of its shank secured to said bar is a fishhook 16 preferably of the cluster type as shown. Similar hooks 17 arealso provided at either side of the body, the same being preferablysecured toloops 18 provided substantially centrally in the lines 12.

While I have shown what I deem to be the preferable form of my device, Ido not wish to be limited thereto, as there might be various changesmade in the details of construction and arrangement of parts Withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention comprehended within the scopeof the appended claim. And although I have designed my device withspecial reference to the holding of minnows, I may use the same for theholding of bait of any other character or form to which it isapplicable.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Let ters Patent is:

The combination in a fishing device of the class described, of aforaminated shell of a form adapting the same to snugly envelop the bodyof a minnow, said shell being comprised of two similar parts hingedtogether at their longitudinal edges, reinforcing transversely disposedstraps arranged about said body, the lower extremities of the straps ofthe opposing shell parts interlocking and serving as hinges, the upperextremities of the straps of one of said shell parts overlapping theadjacent edge of the other shell part serving as fastening means to holdsaid parts in closed position, substantially parallelly extending linesextending longitudinally of said body at either side thereof, said linesextending through and being secured to eyes formed in said straps, andcluster ensnaring-hooks secured to said lines arranged at either sideand at the rear end of said shell, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDDIE HOLMGREEN.

Witnesses:

GERTRUDE L. MOCLENEGHAN, NELLIE ALIoE TAPE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

